Tom Hickathrift

Tom Hickathrift

Tom Hickathrift, the hero of an English nursery rhyme and mythical strong man. He is said to have been a laborer during the reign of William the Conqueror. The story tells how he, armed with an axle-tree and cartwheel, killed the Wisbach giant. As a reward for his various valiant deeds he was knighted and made a governor of Thanet (county of Kent). His grave is reputed to be in the churchyard at Tilney in Norfolk.

References

Source

  • Cooper, J.C., ed. (1997). Brewer's Book of Myth and Legend. Oxford: Helicon Publishing Ltd.